Explaining away belief

As I was combing through consignment shops and antique malls this past weekend, I discovered a postcard with manatees on its front. Naturally, upon this find, I immediately clutched it to my being in a rather pathetic display of drama, for now I had another piece to decorate my mermaid journal with. Since this discovery, I have been traversing the web for a more concrete reason as to why mermaid sitings are believed to be manatees, but have simply come to the conclusion that no one wishes to believe anymore.

Sadly, I have known this truth for quite some time, but I began to think on religion. I am a Christian. I believe in God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. I have no problem believing in such things that I cannot see. I also believe that mermaids, unicorns, the fae, and other such supposed fairy tales are truth. However, in these pathetic, scientific explanations for mermaids (the worse below)

"This vortex of air, constantly changing temperature, acts as a distorting lens that exaggerates the height of an object at sea level but not its width. Seen through this distorting wall of air, the top of a seal's head, or even a rock, can appear like the towering mermaid"

I began to fully understand just how much people cannot believe in something that they do not understand. This bothers me on a much greater level as I apply it to my faith, and the faith of billions. Are they truly believing? Is this why there are 30,000+ Christian denominations? If one person just cannot believe the same as another then is the solution a new church? I don't think people understand what believing is.

It maims my spirit.